The golden badge of honour 'Elites of Labour' | Royal Institute of the Elites | A recognition from the Belgian federal government

Patrick Damiaens | Ornamental Woodcarver

The golden badge of honour  "The Elites of Labour" 

A recognition from the Belgian federal government

Every year hundreds of Belgians from various industries are given the badge of honour for the "Eliten van de Arbeid" (Elites of Labour), to praise them for their professional efforts and merits. This nomination is awarded by royal decree and is published in the Belgian Bulletin of Acts, Orders and Decrees. 
On the one hand, a badge of honour is awarded during an official event, and on the other hand, a certificate is traditionally presented by the mayor of your municipality. 

The golden badge of honour 'Elites of Labour'

Quite an honour!

For 25 years now, my activities as a woodcarver have been a constant source of pleasure and satisfaction, and I even consider my work to be a personal quest, wherein my goal consists of bringing quality work to my environment, as an ambassador of sorts, who wishes to introduce the next generations to the complexity of my profession
This passion and attitude towards my profession has not gone by unnoticed by a number of technical committees, experts and jury members of the "Elites of Labour"(Eliten van de Arbeid) from the wood industry.
The Commissioner-General of the government to the Royal Institute of the "Elites of Labour" (Eliten van de Arbeid) has chosen to honour me because of my exceptional efforts, my professionalism and resolve, and has seen fit to reward me with the golden badge of honour for the "Elites of Labour".

The "Elites of Labour" 

The badge of honour for the "Elites of Labour" can be awarded in the form of a bronze, silver or golden badge of honour.

I received the golden badge of honour during an official award ceremony on March 2015 in Namur.

 

A recognition from the Belgian federal government

Historical outlining "Elites of Labour"  
( Eliten van de Arbeid)

 










The Royal Institute for the "Eliten van de Arbeid" has been awarding badges of honour for the last 60 years now. This relatively unknown organisation praises employers and employees who are a shining example for their profession.
 
In 1929, the engineer Paul Lacoste and the representative of the people Fernand Van Ackere suggested that Belgium should start with an initiative based on the French awards the "Meilleurs Ouvriers de France" and the "Expositions Nationales du Travail". King Albert I was completely taken in by this idea.

This badge of honour is awarded under the supervision of the Commissioner-General of the governement to the Royal Institute for the "Elites of Labour" (Eliten van de Arbeid). This badge is meant as an incentive for workers from every Belgian industry, and is awarded in recognition of their professional knowledge, quality-mindedness, as well as their drive for initiative and perfection. 
In 1930, following King Leopold I, who in 1835 and 1841 organised the first exhibitions regarding products of industry and craftsmanship, King Albert I organised the first National Labour exhibition under the supervision of the Commissioner-General of the government. 

 

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